Clip for an electronic case

ABSTRACT

The present invention is generally a clip that is adapted for interconnection to a case for electronic devices. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a clip that includes a portion for selective interconnection to a user&#39;s belt and a portion for interconnection to the case. In addition, the present invention provides an improved method of inserting the clip into a traditional case, wherein manufacturing steps and tools are omitted, thus decreasing costs and time of production.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/543,516, filed Feb. 10, 2004, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to belt clips adapted for interconnection to cases for electronic devices, such as cell phones. The clip as described herein has the advantage of not requiring the use of specific tooling to perform an interconnection step in the fabrication process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to clips that are commonly interconnected to hard or soft-sided cases for electronic equipment, such as cell phones. Often, such cases are constructed of a soft, compliant material, such as nylon, and include a webbing strap attached thereon that resiliently deflects to allow for clip interconnection. After the clip is held in place by the webbing, the clip is more rigidly affixed to the case by adding stitching or glue adjacent to the clip. Alternatively, other methods such as snaps, rivets, etc. may be used to additionally support the clip, thereby ensuring that it will remain affixed to the case.

The main drawback of the traditional method of inserting the clip into a case is related to the shape of the clips that are commonly used. More specifically, clips are generally constructed of belt portion that is interconnected to a case portion. Moreover, the case portion generally includes an appendage that facilitates insertion of the clip behind the webbing along with a protrusion that is designed to engage the webbing after interconnection, thereby preventing disengagement of the clip. Commonly, the protrusion of the clip is rectangular, wherein the webbing must be sufficiently deflected to allow the protrusion to pass therethrough. Due to the shape of the protrusion, this method requires a specific tool or tools to deflect the webbing and further requires that the webbing be sufficiently slack to allow the protrusion to enter the webbing. In addition, a secondary step of sewing or gluing the case adjacent to the clip to ensure that the clip does not rotate or become disengaged from the case is required, thus increasing time and costs of manufacturing.

Thus, there is a long felt need in the field of case construction to provide a belt clip that is inexpensive to manufacture and that more easily interconnects to the case. The following disclosure describes an improved clip and method of inserting the same into a traditional case for electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a clip that includes a belt portion and a case portion with a protrusion that prevents the clip from being disengaged from a storage case after interconnection. More specifically, a protrusion is provided comprising a ramp positioned a predetermined distance from an engagement ledge. The engagement ledge is adapted to engage a webbing strap of the case, thereby preventing removal of the clip. The ramp angle from the case portion of the clip is adapted to resiliently deflect the webbing strap of the case when an appendage of the clip is inserted between the webbing strap and the case, thereby eliminating the need for tools to deflect the webbing strap.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a secondary ramp, positioned on a leading edge of the appendage that allows for easier integration of the clip behind the webbing strap of the case. In addition, the appendage may include rounded leading edges to further facilitate insertion. Preferably, the ramp allows the case to be made with a tighter webbing strap, which in turn allows for more rigid connection of the clip to the case.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a clip that is simplistic and less expensive to manufacture. More specifically, one embodiment is constructed of plastic or other durable material, such as carbon fiber composite or metal. Preferably, the clip is constructed from plastic that is resiliently deflectable and that allows the clip to be selectively attached to a belt. Clips of this fashion are known in the art, and are generally constructed by injection molding. The present invention may be constructed in the same manner but with the addition of the aforementioned ramps. Thus, very little retrofitting or finishing is needed to construct the present invention in molding forms commonly in use.

Thus, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a clip adapted for interconnection with a case comprising:

a case portion that includes a protrusion extending above a first surface and further comprising a ramp which is adapted to deflect a webbed area on the case to allow said case portion to be interconnected to the case, and an engagement ledge, which retains said case portion by preventing removal thereof; and

a belt portion operably interconnected to said case portion to define a clip that is adapted to resiliently deflect for selective interconnection to a user's belt or other article of clothing.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a case adapted to hold an electronic device that may be used in conjunction with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a right elevation view of a clip of the present invention interconnected to the case;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the present invention interconnected to the case;

FIG. 4 are front elevation and top plan views of a prior art clip interconnected to the case;

FIG. 5 are front elevation and top plan views of one embodiment of the present invention connected to the case;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 are front elevation views illustrating an insertion of the present invention compared to that of the prior art clip.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

# Component

2 Clip

4 Case

6 Belt Portion

8 Case Portion

10 Protrusion

12 Ramp

14 Engagement Ledge

16 Appendage

18 Webbing Strap

20 Clip Securement Mechanism

22 Ramp

24 Secondary Appendage Rounds

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a clip 2 adapted for interconnection to a case 4 is shown. More specifically, a clip 2 comprising a belt portion 6 and a case portion 8 is provided that includes a protrusion 10 defined by a ramp 12 and an engagement ledge 14. The clip 2 is inserted into the case 4 by initially inserting an appendage 16 of the case portion 8 behind a web 18 of the case 4, thereby resiliently deflecting the web 18 to provide a path for which the remainder of the case portion 8 may be inserted. Once the clip 2 is in place, the engagement ledge 14 of the protrusion 10 engages the web 18 thereby substantially preventing removal.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the present invention interconnected to a case is shown. The web 18 of the case is generally a strip of resiliently deflective material that is adapted to receive and secure a clip 2. A second area of the case 4 may include a location that the appendage 16 of the case portion 8 of the clip 2 may be interconnected with a securement mechanism 20, such as a rivet or snap.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a prior art clip is shown. In order to insert the prior art clip into a case, the web 18 must be sufficiently deflected to accommodate the generally rectangular protrusion 10. This process usually entails a use of tools and subsequent sewing operations to fortify the areas adjacent to the inserted clip to ensure that the clip is securely fastened to the case. The securing operation is generally necessary because the shape of the protrusion 10 dictates that the webbing 18 be slackened to provide enough clearance for the protrusion 10 to enter the space between the webbing 18 and the case for insertion.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the improved clip 2 of the present invention is shown. The webbing 18 of this embodiment need not be as slack as the prior art since the ramp 12 of the protrusion 10 will deflect the webbing 18 as the appendage 16 is inserted, thereby alleviating the need for assembly tools. Once the insertion is complete, the engagement ledge 14 of the clip 2 will substantially prevent removal. In addition, a secondary ramp 22 on the edge of the appendage 16 maybe employed that will aid in the initial deflection of the web 18. Moreover, the appendage 16 may include rounded corners 24 to also facilitate insertion.

While various embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A retention device adapted for interconnection to a storage case, comprising: a case portion that includes a protrusion extending above a first surface, said protrusion also comprising a ramp that is adapted to deflect a webbed area on the storage case to allow said storage case portion to be interconnected to the case, and an engagement ledge located adjacent to said ramp that retains said case portion by preventing removal thereof from the storage case; and a belt portion operably interconnected to said case portion to define a retention device that is adapted for resilient deflection for selective interconnection to a user's belt or other article of clothing.
 2. The retention device of claim 1, further including a storage case with a webbed area, said storage case is adapted to secure at least one of a cellular phone, a flash light, a PDA, a pager, a writing instrument, and a media playing device.
 3. The retention device of claim 1, wherein said case portion is generally rectangular with said first surface and a second surface spaced therefrom, said surfaces being defined by a lateral edge, wherein said lateral edge includes an arcuate portion positioned on an end opposite from the edge that is interconnected to said belt portion.
 4. The retention device of claim 3, wherein said lateral edge includes an inclined section located on an end opposite from the edge that is interconnected to said belt portion.
 5. A retention device adapted for interconnection to a storage case having a sufficient volume to hold a device, comprising: a substantially planar case retention portion with a first surface and a second surface that are both defined by an upper edge, a lower edge, with two lateral edges therebetween; a protrusion emanating from said first surface that includes a ramp and an engagement ledge; wherein said protrusion of said case portion allows for one-way insertion of said case portion between the storage case and a webbing thereon such that said ramp deflects the webbing sufficiently to allow for complete insertion of the case retention portion without the requirement of additional tools, and wherein said engagement ledge prevents removal of said case portion by contacting the webbing; and a substantially planar belt portion with a first surface and a second surface, which are both defined by an upper edge, a lower edge, with two lateral edges therebetween, wherein said top edge of said case portion is operably interconnected to said upper edge of said belt portion to define a retention device that is adapted to resiliently deflect for selective interconnection to a user's belt or other article of clothing.
 6. The retention device of claim 5, further including a storage case with a webbed area, said storage case adapted to secure at least one of a cellular phone, a flash light, a PDA, a pager, a writing instrument, and a media playing device.
 7. The retention device of claim 5, wherein said lateral edge includes an arcuate portion positioned on an end opposite from the edge that is interconnected to said belt portion.
 8. The retention device of claim 7, wherein said lateral edge includes an inclined section located on an end opposite from the edge that is interconnected to said belt portion.
 9. A method of assembling a storage case to a retention clip, comprising: providing a case retention portion that includes a ramp extending above a first surface and a ledge located adjacent to said ramp, and a belt portion operably interconnected to said case retention portion: inserting an edge of said case retention portion between said storage case and s web portion of the storage case; contacting said web with said ramp thereby defecting the web away from the storage case; and engaging said ledge adjacent to said web, wherein said retention device is substantially prevented from being removed from said storage case.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: stitching said web to said case adjacent to said case portion.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: riveting said case portion of said retention device to at least one of said web and said case.
 12. A retention device adapted for interconnection to a storage case having a sufficient volume to hold a device, comprising: a substantially planar case retention portion with a first surface and a second surface that are both defined by an upper edge, a lower edge, with two lateral edges therebetween; a deflection means emanating from said first surface; a retention means emanating from said first surface adjacent to said deflection means; wherein said deflection means of said case retention portion allows for one-way insertion between the storage case and a webbing thereon such that said deflection means moves the webbing sufficiently to allow for complete insertion of the case retention portion without the requirement of additional tools, and wherein said retention means prevents removal of said case retention portion by contacting the webbing; and a substantially planar belt portion with a first surface and a second surface, which are both defined by an upper edge, a lower edge, with two lateral edges therebetween, wherein said top edge of said case retention portion is operably interconnected to said upper edge of said belt portion to define a retention device that is adapted to resiliently deflect for selective interconnection to a user's belt or other article of clothing.
 13. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said case retention portion is operably interconnected to said upper edge of said belt portion by a U-shaped member.
 14. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said deflection means is an inclined plane.
 15. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said retention means is an edge adjacent to said deflection means.
 16. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said case retention portion and said belt portion are constructed of plastic.
 17. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said case retention portion is longer than said belt portion.
 18. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said belt portion has an hourglass shape.
 19. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said belt portion has a bottom edge is spaced a predetermined distance from said retention means.
 20. The retention device of claim 12, wherein said case retention portion has a bottom edge is rounded. 